Sheet-controlling mechanism.



A. P. GUSTAFSQNf SHEET CONTROLLING MECHANISM. 4

APPLICATION FILED FEB-16,1915.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916,

v a SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. P. GUSTAFSON. SHEET CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATIQN FILED FEB. 16} 1915.

'1,1 79,82-7.-- Patented Apr. 18, 1916. I a 4 asnsus-snzfl z.

A. P. GUSTAFSON.- I SHEET CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16, I915.

Pafehfed Apr'18, 1916 a snms sum 3 1 1 w/f frm.

ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.KDOLPH'P. GUSTAFSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO 'M. SCHULZ COMPANY, OF

' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

Application filedrebruary 16, 1915. Serial No. 8,524.

I son. a citizen oft-he United States, residing :at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sheet-Controlling Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptlon, reference'being had'to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for controlling thelateral position of traveling sheets? or webs, as for example the" traveling music sheets in mechanical piano players,

and similar instruments.

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and effective mechanism for automatically controlling the lateral position of music sheets, especially with a view to maintaining such sheets in a normal or properly tracking position as the sheet advances.

Another object-of the invention is to permit a lateral adjustment of 'the'music sheet to permit playing-Vina different key or for otherpurposes, and then to secure automatic regulation-or control of'the music sheet in thislnew position or adjustment.

SOther advantages and objects will appear and be pointed out hereinafter.

Although I have shown the invention appliedtoa traveling music sheet of a player I piano, it will be understood that. the invention maybe used for. other purposes.

Inan application filed by :me-May 19, 1913, Serial No. 768,491, sheet controlling mechanism, I show an arrangement for controlling the lateral movement of traveling music sheets embodying some but not all of the features of the present invention.

. In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of an automatic tracking mechanism embodying my present invent1on; Fig. is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the left hand end portion of the device as shown in Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale; Figs. 4 and 5 are I perspective views or details of construction'; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line '6'6- in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a rear ele- "vation of a portion of the device.

, Referring to the drawings I show a tracker board 1, (Fig. 1) having the usual ,ports -2,and music spools 3 and 4 mounted side or the other.

in a suitable frame having uprights 5 and 6, and a top piece 7, said frame being mounted upon a horlzontally disposed supporting board or member '8. At the rightv hand side of the figure I show suitable mechanism for connecting a sheet propelling motor with either one or the other of the spools 4 and 3 so as to advance or reand the music sheet. As said mechanism forms no part of my present invention I will not describe the same herein further 12, said lever 12 engaging a clutch 14: by

which either a gear wheel 15 or a clutch member 16 may be engaged to make connect1on with the roll 4 or the roll 3 respectively, by a movement of the finger piece 10 to one At the left hand side of the tracker board 1 is a music sheet engaging member 17 shown more fully in Figs. 3 and 5, said member being conveniently constructed with a vertical portion 17 having an outwardly turned lip 17", and having a vertical slot 17 and a horizontal shank 18 provided with a longitudinally extending slot 18 Said memberY1-7 is arranged to slide backv and forth in a substantially horizontal manner in a slot in the vertical member 5, the slot 17 embracing or straddling a portion 20 of said tracker board so as to guide the member 17. The face of the vertical portion 17 is intended to make consheet as the same is advanced from the roll 3 to the roll 4, the lip 17 serving to allow the music sheet to advance without any possibility of being caught and stopped or torn. A swinging valve block 21 is pivoted at 22 to a swinging support or port member 23 which latter is in turn pivoted at 24 (Fig. 4) to a block 25 on the upright 5. One or more screws 26 (Fig. 1) passes through the slot 18 in the member 17 and engages the swinging member 21 whereby said member 21 will be swung to the right or to the left according as the member 17 is shifted to one side or the other by the music sheet, the screws 26 permitting an adjustment of the position of the member 21 with reference to -the shank 18 of the member 17 The end of the shank 18 is pro- Vid d With a Weight 27 to counterbalance swing or hold said member 17 in engage mentwith the traveling music sheet. The swmgmg member 21 has its rear face provided w1th a recess or channel 30, Figs. 5,-

4 and 6. The other swinging member 23 is provided with three ports or apertures 31, 32 and 33 (Figs. 3 and 6), which are so located as to cooperate with the channel 30 in the member 21. The recess or channel 30 is adapted to connect the middle port 32 with either end port 31 or 33 when the member 21 is adjusted to one side or the other.

Tubes or pipes 34, 35 and 36 are connected respectively with the ports 31, 32 and 33. The tube runs to a suitable source of pressure reduction, as for example a vacuum chest or the bellows. The tubes 34 and 36 run to two pneumatics 37 and 38. the tube 34 running to the pneumatic 37 and the tube 36 running to the pneumatic 38. These two pneumatics 37 and 38 are mounted upon a block or support 39 on the board 8, and are connected bya link 40 so as to move in unison. The pneumatic 138 is .connected by a link 40 so as to move in unison. The pneumatic 38 is connected by a link 41 with a. slide rod 42v which latter extends through the uprights 5 and 6 and has a bent end portion 43 provided with a fiat end 44. the end portion 43 extending upwardly and forwardly so that the flat end 44 is opposite and in contact with the projecting end 45 of the spindle 46 carrying the music roll 3. The connection between the link 41 and rod 42 is made by. means of a screw 41 passing through the link 41 and engaging a nut 42 on the threaded end of the rod 42 (Fig. 6). whereby adjustment may be made in the connection between the pneumatics 37 and 3S and the rod 42 and associated parts for moving the music rolls. A rod or-link 45' (Fig. 2) extends down from the rod 42 to the spindle 46 of the take-up roll 4. the connection between the rods 42 and 45 being adjustable by means of the screw 45*, and the connection between the rod 45 and spindle 46 being adjustable by means of the collars 46 The other end 47 of the spindle 46 "is provided with a projection or feather 48 arranged to slide in a slot 49 in the shaft 49 which carries the gear 15. By this means the rolls 3 and 4- may be moved in-unison in either direction.

A rod or lever 50 is secured as by screws 51 to the side of the swinging member 23 and the lower end of this rod 50 is connected with a slide rod 52 which extends horizontally to a swinging finger, piece 53 with which said rod 52 pivotally is connected. The connection between the arm 50 and the rod 52 is made: adjustable as by passing the rod 52 through a pin- 54 at the lower end of the. arm 50 and engaging the same by means of a screw 55. Thus by shifting the finger piece 53 the arm 50 and thereby the valve member 23 may be swung to one side or the other so as to shift the ports in the member 23 with reference to the recess 30 in the member 21.

A pneumatic 56 is mounted upon the side of the upright 5 and the member 21 is provided with a finger 57 adapted to engage the upper end of the swinging leaf of the pneumatic 56. Thus when said pneumatic is expanded as shown in Fig. 1. the finger 57 is moved so as to swing the member 21 to the left (Fig. 1). and when said pneumatic is collapsed said member 21 by reason of the weight 27 swings to the right so that the member 17 may engage the side edge of the music sheet. Thus the apparatus may be thrown into and out of operating condition by means of the pneumatic 56.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: lVhen a music sheet is ready to be advanced and the wind inducing apparatus is put into operation. the pneumatic 56 is collapsed. it being understood that said pneumatic is connected with thewind inducing apparatus so as to exhaust said pneumatic when said apparatus is put into operation so as to produce a reduced air pressure for playing purposes. \Vhen the pneumatic 56 1s collapsed the member 17 moves to the right (Fig. 1). and engages the edge of the traveling music sheet. As said sheet moves forward its movement to one side or the other will cause slight movements of the member 17 to one side or the other. movement of said member 17 to the left being made positively by the pushing action of the music sheet. and movement to the right be ing caused by the weight 27. When this shifting movement of the member 17 occurs, the recess 3'') in the swinging member 21 is caused to connectthe central port 32 with one or the. other of the ports 31 and 33. When this occurs one or the other of the pneumatics 37 and 38 is partially deflated so as to cause a compensating movement of the spools 3 and 4 so as to automatically return the same to normal position. lVhen it is desired to change the key in which the music plays. or tosecure a better trackage of the music sheet. that is a better registration of the music sheet apertures with the tracker board ports, or other result. the fingerpiece or lever 53 is moved in one direction or the otl1er,'and when this is done the swinging member 23 is also swung in one direction or the other. with the result that the member 21 is also swung in a corresponding direction and to a correspondingextent. this being due to the pneumatic action as between the recess or channel 30 and the ports 34. 35 and 36. there being continuous suction through the tube 35 tending to create a vacuum in the l movements. of the member 23. In this way suitable adjustment of the music sheet may be brought about and automatic regulation or control of the music sheets lateral position. will take place with; the" music sheet in this new position.

It Will'- be understood that changes and modific trons may be made Without departing tromz the spirit of the invention.

hat 1? i s:

M: ans for automatically controlling the lateral position ot the music sheet, said. meanshm a pair ozfi' adjustable swinging valve membersone of sale members being aclju stablv mounted upon the other, thereby gl ad ustment to secure auton iatic ion or control of the music sheet in Means for anal-tom-atiicaallv controlling thelateralv position or a traveling music sheet. said means having; a pair of adjust able swinging zalvemembers one-of said members being pivotally mounted upon the other for permittingrcontrol of the music sheet in ('lifiierent lateral positions. and means for manually adjusting said members The combination of pneumatic means for effectingn relative adjustment between the tracker" board and both ends of the music sheet, valve mechanism controlling said pneun latic' means and involving. two members onemounted for bodily movement and the other mounted upon the. first men tioned member and adjustable relatively thereto; and. a sheet actuated device controlling saidval-ve mechanism. said valve iiieclianisn'i being bodily adjustable to preserve its operative. condition when said sheet actuated device has its position changedby a" change in the lateral position of the music sheet. c

4. The combination of pneumatic means for efl'ecting arelative adjustment as between both ends of the nnisic sheet and tracker board.- said mechanism -comprisin; pneunmticsaml connections adapted to eii'cct said relative adjustment."valve mechanism for controlling the ope 'ation of said pneum-a-tlc's and involving two members one mountedfor bodily movement and the. other mounted upon the first mentioned member latter is shifted by a change in the lateral position of the music sheet.

5. The combination with means for efiectlng a relative adjustment pneumatic between both ends of the music sheet and tracker boa-rd in a direction laterally of the music sheet, said mechanism cmnprising a pair of pneumatics and connections therewith, valve mechanism forcontrolling said pneumatics. said valve mechanism comprising a port member having ports from which connections extend to said pneumatics. said port member being bodily movable, a swinging valve member mounted upon, said port member andohaving: a recess cooperating with said ports, and asheet actuated. member-.- connected withrsazid valve member.

The combination. oi? pnel-unaitic means '1 tween both ends of tracker board. said meclii-anism comprising pneumatics and connections adapted to effect said relative adjustment, valve mechanism for controllii-ig the ope-ration of said pneumatics and involving two members one mml-nted for bodily movement and the other mounted upon the first mentioned member and adjustable relatively thereto, and a sheet actuated device controlling said valve mechanism. said valve mechanism being bodily adjustable to permit its operation by said sheet actuated device when the latter is shifted by a change in the lateral position of the music sheet, and means for adjusting said valve mechanism.

7. The coml'iination with pneumatic means for cii'ectingr a relative adjustment between the music sheet and tracker board in a direction laterally of the music sheet. said mechanism comprising; a pair of pneumatics and connections therewith. valve mechanism r'or controlling said pneumatics, said valve mechanismcomprising; a port member having ports from which connections extend to said pncinnatics. saidport member being bodily movable. a swinging valve member mounted upon saidport memher and having a recess moperating with said ports and manually in connection with one of said ports. and a'sheet actuated member connected with said. valve member. and means for adjustingsaid port member.

8.. The combination with pneun'iatic means for cti'ecting a relative adjustment between the music sheet and tracker board in a direction laterally of the music sheet. said mechanism comprising a pair of pneumatics and connections therewith. valve mechanism for controlling said pneumatics. said valve mechanism comprising a port member having ports from which connections extend to said pneumatics, said port member being bodily movable. a swinging valve member mounted upon said port member and having a recess cooperating with said ports and normally in connection with one of said ports. and a sheet actuated member connected with said valve member,

and means for adjusting said port member, said means comprising a finger piece and connections between the same and said port member. r

9. The combination of means for effecting a lateral adjustment of the music sheet and trackerboard, said means comprising a pair of neumatics and connections therefor, valve mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted swinging port member having ports from which connections extend to said pneumatics, a valve member pivotally mounted upon said port member and having a. recess cooperating with said ports, a sheet actuated device having a contact surface adapted to cooperate with an edge of the music sheet. said device being connected with said valve member, a rod attached to said swinging port member, a link connected with said rod and a finger piece connected-- with said link to permit movementof the same and adjustment of said port member. 10. The combination of a sheet actuated member, a valve device with which said member is adjustablv connected and a port member upon which said valve member is mounted. said port member being mounted for bodilv movement and controlling both ends of the music sheet. a

11. The combination of a sheet actuated memberga valve device with which said having a connection with said shifting means. a pivotally mounted port member provided with ports from which tubular connections extend to said pneumatics, a valve member pivotally mounted upon said port member and asheet actuated device connected. with said valve member to shift the same when saiddevice is shifted by lateral displacements of the music sheet.

13. The combination of the music carrying rolls having their spindles mounted to permit longitudinal movement of said rolls, mechanical connections with said rolls for shifting the same longitudinally, a pair of pneumatics link connected together and having a connection with said shifting means, a pivotally mounted port member provided with ports from which tubular connections extend to said pneumatics, a valve member pivotally mounted upon said port member, a sheet actuated device connected with said valve member to shift the same when said device is shifted by lateral displacements of the music sheet, and means for adjusting said pivotally mounted port member comprising a rod secured to said member and extended down 'ardly therefrom. a link connected with said rod. and a movable finger piece connected with said link for moving the same.

'14. The combination with the music rolls of a pair of pneumatics connected together. a link 41 connected with one of said pneumatics, a rod 4:2 pivotallv connected with said link 41, said rod 42 having an up-turned end portion 43 provided with a fiat end 44 adapted to contact with the end of one of the roll spindles. and a rod 453 connected with the rod 42 and also with the spindle of the other roll.

15. The combination with the music rolls of a pair of pneumatics connected together. a link 41 connected with one of said pneumatics, a rod 42 pivotallv connected with said link 41, said rod 42 havingan upturned end portion 43 provided with a flat end 14 adapted to contact with the end of one of the roll spindles, and a rod 45 connected with the rod 42 and also with the spindle of the other roll, said last mentioned roll spindle having a slidable connection with its driving: shaft.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this -l-th day of February, A. D.,

ADOLPH l. GUSTAFSON.

\Vitnesses I 1 r 4 A. Lion Joxus,

HAZEL A. Joxns. 

